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How much is fast driving costing you?

GasBuddy Blog -- How much does your gas mileage decline -- and how much does your gas cost rise? -- if you drive at 60 mph rather than 50? How about 70 or 80 mph?

Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press asks that question. He says that until last week, nobody had quantified the effect real-world speeds have on fuel economy, despite the fact that most people hit those speeds on the highway every day. New research by the DOE --which works with the EPA to generate window-sticker mileage figures -- should help create models to help drivers figure out the effect higher speeds have on their specific vehicle.

And he's got some answers too. He says you should expect a 41% decrease in fuel economy if you're a leadfoot driver who like drivign at...

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Submitted Feb 04, 2013 By: PD

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Punai Rookie Author Lansing Posts:11 Points:2,950 Joined:May 2013	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 1:00:46 AM Ignore Punai Report Abuse This is actually interesting to read as it's something I've wondered about. I try to keep track of my mileage when I'm on the highway and have noticed that if I'm driving slower that I do get better gas mileage. However, I also notice that if I'm going east or west that can also make a difference in my gas mileage.
gasmeup52 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,300 Points:677,730 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 11:33:47 AM Ignore gasmeup52 Report Abuse If you drive the speed limit you get ran over.
mark03063 Rookie Author New Hampshire Posts:70 Points:101,705 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 12:33:38 PM Ignore mark03063 Report Abuse I'd like to see how settings (ecomony, comfort, sport) in my car differ at each speed.
krazkar Veteran Author Calgary Posts:262 Points:270,585 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 12:11:11 PM Ignore krazkar Report Abuse Don't care. I drive what is comfortable most of the time. The fear of tickets keeps me paying more attention to my speedometer than the road.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,087 Points:2,168,025 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 11, 2013 10:41:35 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse A lot of choices we make cost us money. The point to keep in mind is that we make the choice by ourself.
paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:806 Points:352,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 11:05:37 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse Does not apply...don't drive fast unless I really have to.
BDNNOD Sophomore Author Seattle Posts:119 Points:43,990 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 2:54:06 AM Ignore BDNNOD Report Abuse Donatelo ... YOU GOT IT RIGHT AGAIN ... YOU STEP ON THE PEDDLE AND THEM FUEL HOGS JUST OPEN WIDER AND SUCK MORE JET-FUEL DOWN THEIR THROATS
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,115 Points:290,865 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 9, 2013 10:49:57 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse of course if you go faster you will use more fuel.
twinfanMN Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,610 Points:452,240 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 9, 2013 9:32:53 AM Ignore twinfanMN Report Abuse Interesting article. I don't know studies how accurate their study is but I am going to try slowing down 10 MPH on the way to work and calculate it myself.
heydano67 Champion Author California Posts:1,646 Points:353,535 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 9, 2013 12:51:20 AM Ignore heydano67 Report Abuse depends on if the time saved is worth the drop in milage
WEB0153 All-Star Author Maryland Posts:774 Points:151,800 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 2:19:06 PM Ignore WEB0153 Report Abuse Very little
txrojo2005 All-Star Author Austin Posts:759 Points:475,290 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2013 9:49:27 AM Ignore txrojo2005 Report Abuse That is because the air resistance increases as you drive faster.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,087 Points:2,168,025 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 6, 2013 6:55:19 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse If you have the money it's your choice... Money vs time.
sks1586 All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:555 Points:43,460 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: May 4, 2013 8:22:53 AM Ignore sks1586 Report Abuse Thanks a million for the information.
kecklered Rookie Author Nova Scotia Posts:2 Points:395 Joined:May 2013	Message Posted: May 3, 2013 10:34:07 PM Ignore kecklered Report Abuse fast driving is costing me more , but if I stay with in the eco green gauge on my dash board it tells me when I am in the green which is good so I don't use more gas per speed kms.
BBF_PFS Sophomore Author Washington Posts:184 Points:82,295 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 3, 2013 12:23:15 PM Ignore BBF_PFS Report Abuse With my Saturn I get better mileage at 70 than at 60. With my F450 quite a bit less 14 mph at 60 and 11.7 at 70 mph
MiataPrincess All-Star Author Des Moines Posts:603 Points:95,550 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 9:17:18 AM Ignore MiataPrincess Report Abuse old news
smugutu1234 Sophomore Author Tallahassee Posts:194 Points:67,540 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2013 8:17:20 AM Ignore smugutu1234 Report Abuse Does not seem to matter.....same gas usage for me.
priver Veteran Author Alberta Posts:403 Points:33,435 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2013 11:50:51 PM Ignore priver Report Abuse huge savings on fuel, but at a cost of a windsheild as eveyone passing sprays rocks..grr
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,947 Points:1,272,000 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2013 1:05:58 AM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Just drive 3 mph below the speed limit.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,115 Points:290,865 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 10:25:53 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse and ohio just approved raising speed limit on long highway. do we want more fuel consumption.
Tommyguns45 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:212 Points:128,775 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 9:08:10 AM Ignore Tommyguns45 Report Abuse I dont drive over 65 even if its posted 70-80 as in some States. Why the big hurry and waste of gas. Pres. Carter didnt do too many things right such as giving away the Panama Canal, but he was right at saving gas when he lowered the speed limit to 55 for Interstates. I got where I was going on time.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:579 Points:140,210 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 9:31:06 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse fast aint that bad - short time driving = savings
pawnkingfour All-Star Author Georgia Posts:541 Points:136,790 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 9:00:19 PM Ignore pawnkingfour Report Abuse A lot!
unicornIL Veteran Author Chicago Posts:446 Points:381,845 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 8:59:52 PM Ignore unicornIL Report Abuse more time/less money or less time/more money?? How valuable is your time?
rickfro All-Star Author San Diego Posts:678 Points:327,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 5:48:16 PM Ignore rickfro Report Abuse This is old news.
SmartShopper520 Veteran Author Ontario Posts:491 Points:71,255 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2013 8:54:19 AM Ignore SmartShopper520 Report Abuse Petro costs more the higher speed you go? Here's a tip: if you can do this, leave earlier and enjoy the drive to your destination.
pawnkingfour All-Star Author Georgia Posts:541 Points:136,790 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 28, 2013 9:54:07 PM Ignore pawnkingfour Report Abuse It costs a lot.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:579 Points:140,210 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 8:19:45 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse i like to go fast
metalhat73 Veteran Author Wilmington Posts:340 Points:237,905 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 7:58:47 AM Ignore metalhat73 Report Abuse If your late to work and get fired then speeding is cheaper. :p
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,087 Points:2,168,025 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 5:25:24 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse If you drive at 50 mph rather than 60 you save. If you drive at 40 rather than 50 you save. If you drive at 30 rather than 40 you save... Where does the madness end...
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:579 Points:140,210 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2013 1:04:21 AM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse slow it down if you are concerned
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,080 Points:529,080 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 6:05:06 PM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse Save some money, lose some time.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:579 Points:140,210 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 12:37:22 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse so slow down.... or pay more in gas... if you got there quicker did you use less gas????? lol
theocean Rookie Author New York Posts:35 Points:179,615 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:51:16 PM Ignore theocean Report Abuse just drive @ 55 ..........
pawnkingfour All-Star Author Georgia Posts:541 Points:136,790 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:34:58 PM Ignore pawnkingfour Report Abuse Driving over 50mph sure costs a lot. That is why I always leave earlier heading to my intended destination, and drive just the posted speed limit.
jaxtrax Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,402 Points:685,210 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 11:30:51 AM Ignore jaxtrax Report Abuse I don't dispute these figures, but it seems they were taken on a dynamometer... with car standing still while the driving wheels rolled. So they won't show the effect of air drag. My guess is some vehicles that aren't so aerodynamic (perhaps a large van or a pickup) would likely show even greater fuel burning at higher speeds to fight the air drag... The cost of speed MAY BE EVEN MORE than these figures show! [Edited by: jaxtrax at 3/21/2013 11:31:40 AM EST]
MiataPrincess All-Star Author Des Moines Posts:603 Points:95,550 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 10:42:06 AM Ignore MiataPrincess Report Abuse Most people will ignore this
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,394 Points:418,900 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 11:36:30 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Let's all drive more economically.
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,080 Points:529,080 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 4:30:31 PM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse Just don't do it.
MiataPrincess All-Star Author Des Moines Posts:603 Points:95,550 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:55:33 AM Ignore MiataPrincess Report Abuse people don't care
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:579 Points:140,210 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 12:03:09 AM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse drill
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,474 Points:910,780 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 11:23:07 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse I think anything over 60mph uses more fuel but sometimes getting to a place quickly is more important.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 7:50:19 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Getting there as fast as I can without getting a ticket is my top priority. Sorry.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,115 Points:290,865 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 4:01:00 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse with the people we have driving these days. i think we should lower speed limits to save gas and lives.
Methodist All-Star Author Indiana Posts:573 Points:149,185 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 2:11:44 PM Ignore Methodist Report Abuse depends on gearing also
paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:806 Points:352,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2013 11:02:49 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse Re-re-recycled.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,871 Points:3,099,750 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 4:28:29 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse my leadfoot retired, but now my wife wastes gas with remote start.
paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:806 Points:352,520 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 11:45:16 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse Nice to see you are recycling, PD.
Tommyguns45 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:212 Points:128,775 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2013 9:42:13 AM Ignore Tommyguns45 Report Abuse The only good thing President Carter did was lowering the speed limit to 55 to save gas and lives. Now its 70-80 in some States when the States are cutting back on the State Troopers. Its a fact one State Trooper here in Eastern Illinois has to cover 6 Counties, and we hardly see one any more going to and from Danville to Champaign.